31 - The System Knows What Minato Did
"What a pity, nothing about senjutsu."
Kei smacked his lips in dissatisfaction and dispelled the Psycho Mind Transmission on Fukashi.
According to the memories, although the number of clams wasn't as large as those in Mount Myōboku or Ryūchi Cave, they still surpassed most summoning beast clans.
Some of these clams had abilities that were no less impressive than the dazzling toads of Mount Myōboku.
Clams that released special mirage-inducing mist to enhance genjutsu; clams with absurdly strong defense, acting as living shields; clams that produced highly corrosive acid, capable of dissolving almost anything; clams proficient in Water Release…
Aside from being unable to speak and needing mirages to facilitate complex communication, their only real flaw was the lack of a senjutsu inheritance.
"You… you just wait… wait for our… revenge… we will not stop until you're dead!"
Fukashi curled up in pain in the corner.
The agony from deep within his soul caused his body to spasm and tremble uncontrollably. His voice was hoarse and strained as if squeezed through clenched teeth.
"The Hōzuki clan? Heh—things aren't looking too good for Kiri lately."
Kei waved his hand dismissively.
Kiri was in complete chaos.
With Madara pulling the strings from behind the scenes, the Bloody Mist policy was still wreaking havoc.
The militant faction had gone mad, while the conservatives lived in constant fear.
The Hōzuki clan, which held significant influence in Kiri but had never taken a clear stance, was caught in the middle of the storm, too busy to care about anything else.
By the time the Third Great Ninja War began, even if the Hōzuki clan learned that Kei had inherited Gengetsu's power, they would still prioritize dealing with the war under the pressure of the village.
And once the war ended, with Kiri's internal power struggles and the further intensification of the Bloody Mist policy, a series of measures targeting bloodline clans would begin.
The Hōzuki clan would be wiped out before the Uchiha clan even fell!
Revenge on me? Who's going to do it?
That last remaining Hōzuki, Suigetsu, who was taken by Orochimaru to be a test subject and then kept as a pet fish?
Give the kid a break, will you?
"You… will regret this…"
Swoosh—
As his voice fell, Fukashi's entire body collapsed like a puddle of water, dissolving into a flowing liquid before completely disintegrating.
A massive amount of chakra began dispersing into the surroundings.
Within mere seconds, all traces of life were gone.
He had used Hydrification Jutsu to fully decompose his own body, committing suicide.
"I'm not Hiruzen, and you are not Danzō!"
Kei crossed his arms, never once lifting a finger to stop Fukashi's suicide.
Because from the very beginning, his fate was already sealed.
In the shinobi world, no clan would want one of their own to be captured alive by an enemy.
It wasn't just about village secrets being leaked—bloodline abilities and secret techniques were at risk of falling into enemy hands.
The current state of the shinobi world was already tense.
By taking down this Summoning Island, they could claim it was part of the Land of the Sea, and Konoha had simply destroyed a cruel and inhumane secret research facility run by an unknown faction.
Kiri had no real justification to protest. Even if they were angry, they'd have no choice but to swallow their resentment.
If they had captured a Hōzuki clan jonin alive... If the Kiri higher-ups didn't know, fine. But the moment they found out, the militant faction would immediately push the Hōzuki clan to retaliate against Konoha.
Such a chain reaction was something that no one, except maybe Danzō, would want to see.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Kei formed hand seals and, using his barely proficient fire jutsu, evaporated all the water stains on the ground.
Only after ensuring that Fukashi had truly left no remains behind did he turn and leave the laboratory.
Inside the now-empty research facility, the dozen or so researchers who had been imprisoned earlier were trembling in fear as they dismantled and packed up the laboratory's various equipment.
Three of Minato's shadow clones were stationed there, two guarding the front and rear entrances of the facility, while the last one was patrolling the hallway, overseeing the work.
The shadow noticed Kei approaching and immediately asked, "Is it done?"
"He committed suicide before I could ask anything."
"Understood."
The shadow clone showed a knowing expression.
After being a ninja for so many years, he naturally understood how these things worked.
It was just that, in daily life, especially when dealing with his comrades, he preferred not to assume the worst about people.
"Have all the summoned beasts been sent back? What about your real body?"
"Yeah, uh… well… about that…"
"Why are you stammering? Did you go somewhere to sneak a kiss?"
"Huh?! No! Kei, stop messing with me. I just went home with her to sort out some documents, seriously."
---
[Major alteration to an important character's fate.]
[The worldline has deviated.]
[Obtained:
- 1 trait duplication
- 1 trait removal
- 1 trait upgrading (blue)
- 1 trait downgrading
- 1 gifting opportunity]
---
The sudden system notification rang in Kei's mind.
This was solid proof, Minato was truly the chosen one of this era! This reward was ridiculously generous!
But as he looked at the completely sincere face of Minato… Kei suddenly realized—holy crap, honest people are terrifying liars!
That utterly genuine expression, for a second, he almost believed that Minato really had just gone to help Honoka sort out some documents.
Sorting out documents… sorting out documents?!
If it weren't for the system's notification, he would have slapped the message right onto Minato's face and asked—who the hell "sorts documents" and ends up causing a major deviation in fate?!
There had to be something more. If not, he would walk around Konoha's busy shopping district naked with a butt plug!
"Don't make such absolute statements. Otherwise, your real body will have a hard time explaining later."
Considering the generous system rewards, he patted the shadow clone's shoulder with a meaningful look.
"Sigh…, what will it take for you to believe me?" Minato's shadow clone looked at him with a face full of grievance and helplessness.
Did his friend really not know his character by now?
"If your real body appears next to me within three seconds, I'll believe you."
"Alright!"
Poof!
Minato's shadow clone left a Flying Thunder God mark on the wall and then vanished into a puff of chakra smoke.
When a shadow clone disperses, its memories return to the real body.
If nothing had really happened, then, given Minato's personality, forget three seconds, he would have reappeared within one second.
But unfortunately, even after a whole minute had passed, there was still no sign of Minato.
"Why do I feel bitter all of a sudden…?"
Kei stared at the unresponsive Flying Thunder God mark, his expression shifting through various emotions.
"Damn it! Screw waiting for tomorrow! I'm leaving for Konoha tonight!"